Where to start?

Ozarks · #1 (**permalink**) 28-Jun-2009, 05:05 AM

Having read some more on Sikhism (in particular a bit from Dr Kanwar Ranvir Singh) I would like to learn more, but don't know where to start. There is a flood of information out there, but I am afraid without some "start here" pointer I may jump into the middle and get confussed, frustrated or lost. So what should I read first? I say read as trips to a gurdwara are unlikely. (Nearest one being about 3+ hours away.) Nor talking with any local Sikhs as I do not know of any. So I am starting out with a few strikes against me. Any help on this would be appreciated.
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Narayanjot Kaur · #2 (**permalink**) 28-Jun-2009, 06:42 AM

Ozarks ji

It would be good for you to describe your current level of knowledge on different aspects of Sikhism. After knowing little more about what you already know it becomes easier to guide you from your starting point. Otherwise you can get bogged down in some very simplistic material and stay there for a long time, or longer than is necessary. And get bogged down with private theories of other people. You need a knowledge base.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/new-to-sikhism/25592-where-to-start.html

My own recommendation -- Have a curriculum that you put together to stay on track, keep moving forward and not lose yourself in specifics-- too much of that on the Internet. You plan could look like this.

a. Do some systematic reading every day from an online book about Sikhism. These are two that I like

Sikhism Based on Gurbani - Home
Sikh Missionary Society(U.K.) - Online Publications Library ( eBooks )

b. Every day read from Sri Guru Granth Sahib -- even if it is one page - write down some questions and post them in the forum each week. Learn from the vichaar of others here.

c. Go to the daily hukamnama on the Sikhnet site, listen to the audio and read the explanation by Sukha Singh ji Daily Hukamnama – English Translation as this will give you a wealth of background on the culture of the Gurus and why they wrote as they did.

d. Explore the history sites here at SPN as well as the threads on Gurmat Vichaar.

e. Make one or two Internet friends who are Sikhs and further along the way to explain things about culture, the use of Punjabi phrases in the middle of conversations, gurdwara, sikh life, in other words, the context in which Sikhism is lived. In just 2 years when I started out -- I ended up with a mailing list with about 45 people on it. None of them from SPN. It just grew and grew.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592

f. I highly recommend this site http://www.gurbani.org/articlemenu.php# for interesting essays on many topics that are backed up with references to Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Read one of them or two a week. Again - write down your questions and post them

g. Get practice using a gurbani search engine, like http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?S=y or http://www.searchgurbani.com/main.ph...b&action=index

If you are just starting out -- do not bog yourself down with rules and regulations that other people tell you about. You should have a foundation in knowledge and then when you feel the spirit move you within, then and only then it is time to explore daily banis, bana, and those kinds of things.

That should be a lot for a start. Maybe it is too much. And once you post an update about where you are strong and where you are weak -- then people can steer you toward more specific information that answer your more specific questions. I would be happy to tell you how I started out. If you like, send me a private message and I will describe my first year of study.

Stay in touch with us.

Remember Sat Nam - Truth is Your Identity whether you decide to become a Sikh or not. Keep the journey pleasant at all times.

Ozarks · #3 (**permalink**) 28-Jun-2009, 09:47 AM

Antonia Ji,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592
Thank you for your response. I guess more information is needed. I am very new. I have a "BBC Religion & Ethics" website level of knowledge. Maybe a bit more, but just a bit. From some of what I have been reading (various online sites such as here) I was drawn to it in interest (I like to know things in general), but was a bit afraid it would be a bit... I find myself lacking a word for it. A little hard (new words/different language/pronunciation) and customs that I am not sure of (dancing on the edge of faux pas).
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592

The following I may be wrong about, so please let me know if I am.
I have read about the 2 major "divisions" of Sikhs. That being the Khalsa and the Sahajdhari. The Khalsa is the hardcore side. The Saint Soldiers. The Sahajdhari are those who follow the Gurus teachings, but are not required to be as strict to some of the rules (customs?) and not required to keep all 5 Ks. (Though many keep several,.) Per Wiki:
"Sahajdhari Sikhs do not need to keep the Five Ks because they have not been baptized - the five Ks only applies to baptized Sikhs. However, if a Sahajdhari wants to keep some or all of the five Ks they can. Indeed, most Sahajdhari keep at least one of the five Ks e.g. kara. Most Sahajdhari Sikhs keep the kara as one of their five Ks."

I read a little of the writings of Dr Kanwar Ranvir Singh (Sikhism. Comparative Articles By Dr. Kanvar Ranvir Singh) and became more interested. I thought about starting in on the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (am I suppose to put a "Ji" here?) but thought I should seek advice. I was very (can not stress that enough) moved over the death of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the story of the compassion of Bhai Kannaya to his enimies.

I think I've listed a big chunk of what I know, or at least think I know. I hope this is helpful.

(p.s. is "Ji" pronouced "G" or "JI"- hard "I" ?)

Narayanjot Kaur · #4 (**permalink**) 28-Jun-2009, 10:27 AM

Ozarks ji

I was urging you to devour the meat of Sikhism from some sites that were helpful to me and still are. Always make Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj the place where you start and where you end. It is not called the eternal guru for nothing. Let me just answer some of your questions inline.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozarks

Antonia Ji,
Thank you for your response. I guess more information is needed. I am very new. I have a "BBC Religion & Ethics" website level of knowledge.

You have probably already noticed that BBC is a good site but not one that goes too deeply into a topic. The information is generally correct but often leaves important things out. It is good for someone who is looking for a basic set of ideas; he/she can map new learning onto them.

Maybe a bit more, but just a bit. From some of what I have been reading (various online sites such as here) I was drawn to it in interest (I like to know things in general), but was a bit afraid it would be a bit... I find myself lacking a word for it. A little hard (new words/different language/pronunciation) and customs that I am not sure of (dancing on the edge of faux pas).

Just relax about faux pas issues. If you are from a different culture you have to give yourself permission to make mistakes and let other people teach you. Which they will do. Especially Sikhs. Sikhs do not go looking for converts; are typically amazed when someone announces they are a convert; and will go to the ends of the earth to help you understand if you ask.

A caution about Internet forums -- too often there is information that is so simplistic it is wrong, information that is plain ridiculous (recently I read a conversation about how to take a shower without removing your kechera, or Sikh underwear), adolescent because teenagers frequent forums. So you have to proceed with caution. That is why I advised you to have a program of reading. If you are looking for web sites that cover the details of Sikh life, well, we can offer you those as well. I will post one as soon as I am finished here.

The following I may be wrong about, so please let me know if I am.
I have read about the 2 major "divisions" of Sikhs. I would not agree with what is here. There are two meanings for Khalsa. But the more common meaning is one who has taken amrit or Sikh baptism and yes wears the 5 K's. The sehajdhari have ot taken baptism and do or do not keep one or more of the 5 K's. That is all there is too it. The part you cited below sounds like an embellishent.

That being the Khalsa and the Sahajdhari. The Khalsa is the hardcore side. See I think that is a bit exterme to say they are hard core or that khalsa as baptized sikhs are the saint soliders. This is somewhat a romantic view, and a little like propaganda. Internet sites do use this kind of language. The Saint Soldiers. The Sahajdhari are those who follow the Gurus teachings, but are not required to be as strict to some of the rules (customs?) and not required to keep all 5 Ks. (Though many keep several,.) Per Wiki:
"Sahajdhari Sikhs do not need to keep the Five Ks because they have not been baptized - the five Ks only applies to baptized Sikhs. However, if a Sahajdhari wants to keep some or all of the five Ks they can. Indeed, most Sahajdhari keep at least one of the five Ks e.g. kara. Most Sahajdhari Sikhs keep the kara as one of their five Ks." This part is more accurate.

I read a little of the writings of Dr Kanwar Ranvir Singh (Sikhism. Comparative Articles By Dr. Kanvar Ranvir Singh) and became more interested. I thought about starting in on the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (am I suppose to put a "Ji" here?)

The correct way is Sri Guru Granth Sahib but Maharaj can be added and Ji can be added when emphasizing your respect for the Guru.

but thought I should seek advice. I was very (can not stress that enough) moved over the death of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the story of the compassion of Bhai Kannaya to his enimies.

You and I then intersect on this point because Guru Tegh Bahadur's life and death are of great personal importance to me also, as well as the compssion shown by Bhai Kannaya, and Bhai Mani Singh too.

I think I've listed a big chunk of what I know, or at least think I know. I hope this is helpful.

"G" is pronounced like the g in goat and "j" is pronounced like the j in juice.

(p.s. is "Ji" pronouced "G" or "JI"- hard "I" ?)

What you seem to need are some trustworthy sites on Sikh life and a teaching site for vocabulary, Gurmukhi alphabet and pronunciation. I will get back online with this in a moment.

Narayanjot Kaur · #5 (**permalink**) 28-Jun-2009, 10:33 AM

A good site for basics
Sikhism Introduction | Sikhism - Sikh Religion
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592

Another one as an introduction to Sikh culture, history and life
The Sikhism Home Page

Learning punjabi/Gurmukhi
.:: Raj Karega Khalsa Network ::.

Learn punjabi interactive site
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592
.:: Raj Karega Khalsa Network ::. Gurbani - Learn Punjabi

Some where on the .:: Raj Karega Khalsa Network ::. site there is a great powerpoint with a sing along to learn your alphabets. Let me know if you find it.

This should help. Let me know if you need more.

Ozarks · #6 (**permalink**) 28-Jun-2009, 20:07 PM

Antonia Ji,
It looks like I have my work cut out for me. :p I will start reading and I promise I will keep in touch (lots of questions) as I do want to learn. I appreciate your help. Thank you.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592

dalsingh · #7 (**permalink**) 28-Jun-2009, 20:32 PM

Aad pan ji

Sikh Missionary Society(U.K.) - Online Publications Library ( eBooks )
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592

That was so cool! I grew up on the books from these guys. I never knew they had them online.

Thanks for that.

lotus lion · #8 (**permalink**) 28-Jun-2009, 21:48 PM

Hi Ozarks,

Please let me welcome you to the forum also.

Many Brothers and Sisters may have recommend these sites already, but hearing of them again helps to reinforce the value and wisdom they possess and ultimately help you on your journey to understand the Sikh Dharma.

Sites that teach the Basics:

1) Sikhs.org
2) AllAboutSikhs.com

Sites that go beyond the Basics

1) Gurbani.org

Reading the Sikh Scripture online

1) SriGranth.org
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592
2) SikhiToTheMax.com

Books

1) Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings, and Authors, McAuliffe, M. A
2) The Heritage of the Sikhs, Singh, H

Places that Teach

1) Sikhcourse.com
2) www.jakara.org
3) www.sikhri.org

My best regards,

Lotus

Ozarks · #9 (**permalink**) 29-Jun-2009, 00:13 AM

I want to thank you all. I have an embarrassment of riches from which to draw on. I do wish the one day course that was listed was anywhere close in my country (US). I look forward to learning more. Thank you.

KulwantK · #10 (**permalink**) 29-Jun-2009, 12:21 PM

Sat Nam, Ji! Welcome! OK, for starters, let's see about getting you in contact with some really cool people in India who can give you some excellent information on good books. You can get on the Internet and go to www.sikhkaras.com and write Amrit Singh and ask what books he would recommend you get, and how to get them. By the way, he also sells really excellent karas, and will be happy to custom make one for you. I have a couple he did for me, and they are great! He can also give you pointers on wear to get the other Kakkars.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592

Another individual who can recommend some very good books as well is Ranjit Singh, in California. His phone: 818-982-9670. He sells the karas, as well, and the Kirpans and Khangas. You can also go onto the Internet and get on www.Sikhnet.com and there are many links to interesting sites there, including various bookstores. You can also get the daily Hukamnama from the Golden Temple on that site- very cool!
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25592

Try these for starting out, and enjoy the adventure of discovery!

Wahe Guru,
Kulwant